Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming device to form an image in response to a request for forming the image from at least one of a plurality of first information processing apparatuses; and circuitry to: connect to one or more of the plurality of first information processing apparatuses via a virtual private network in response to a request to connect from at least one of the one or more of the plurality of first information processing apparatuses; send data corresponding to the connected one or more of the plurality of first information processing apparatuses to a main first information processing apparatus; receive a set of selected first information processing apparatuses from the main first information processing apparatus including one or more first information processing apparatuses selected to be included in a first wireless communication network; establish the first wireless communication network among the image forming apparatus and the set of selected first information processing apparatuses; and enable wireless communication among the image forming apparatus and the set of selected first information processing apparatuses via the first wireless communication network.
An image forming apparatus (like a printer) forms images based on requests from multiple devices. It connects to these devices through a VPN. The printer sends data about the connected devices to a "main" device. The "main" device selects a subset of the devices to join a wireless network. The printer then establishes a wireless network with just those selected devices, enabling them to communicate wirelessly with the printer for image forming tasks.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, the circuitry further establishes a second wireless communication network among one or more second information processing apparatuses, and the circuitry integrates the first wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network into an integrated wireless communication network to enable wireless communication among the set of selected first information processing apparatuses and the second information processing apparatuses.
The image forming apparatus from the previous description also creates a second wireless network involving another set of devices. It merges this second wireless network with the first wireless network (the one with the selected devices from the VPN), forming a single, integrated wireless network. This allows all devices in both wireless networks to communicate with each other and the printer, facilitating collaborative image forming.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a second wireless communication network among one or more second information processing apparatuses is established by a second image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus, and the circuitry integrates the first wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network into an integrated wireless communication network to enable wireless communication among the set of selected first information processing apparatuses and the second information processing apparatuses.
This is similar to the previous setup, but instead of the primary image forming apparatus creating the second wireless network, another, different image forming apparatus creates it. The primary image forming apparatus integrates its wireless network with the second image forming apparatus's wireless network to enable seamless communication between all devices connected to either printer. This allows for sharing image forming resources across multiple printers.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the circuitry processes shared data to be shared by the set of selected first information processing apparatuses connected with each other in the first wireless communication network.
The image forming apparatus from the first description also processes shared data that is meant to be used by all the devices connected to the wireless network it created. This allows the connected devices to collaborate with image forming tasks.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the circuitry generates image data from the shared data, and transfers the generated image data to each one of the set of selected first information processing apparatuses in the first wireless communication network for display at each one of the set of selected first information processing apparatuses.
Building on the previous description, the image forming apparatus takes the shared data and generates image data from it. Then, the apparatus sends this generated image data to each device on the wireless network. This allows each device to display the same image generated from the shared data, facilitating real-time viewing and feedback from multiple users.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the circuitry further obtains, from at least one of the set of selected first information processing apparatuses, drawing information that reflects a user operation of adding or deleting information on an image displayed on a display of the at least one of the set of selected first information processing apparatus, and transfers the obtained drawing information to the set of selected first information processing apparatuses in the first wireless communication network.
Building on the earlier description, the image forming apparatus captures drawing information (like annotations, additions, or deletions) that a user makes on an image displayed on one of the connected devices. It then shares this drawing information with all other devices on the wireless network, so everyone can see the modifications in real time and collaborate on the image.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the circuitry charges a fee for forming the image to the at least one of the plurality of first information processing apparatuses that requests to form the image.
The image forming apparatus described in the first claim charges a fee to the device that requested the image to be formed (printed). This provides a way to monetize the printing service.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the circuitry connects to each of the one or more of the plurality of first information processing apparatuses to establish the first wireless communication network, when the one or more of the plurality of first information processing apparatuses has a strongest radio field intensity between the image forming apparatus and the one or more of the plurality of first information processing apparatuses.
The image forming apparatus in the first description prioritizes wireless connections based on signal strength. When establishing the wireless network, it connects to the devices that have the strongest wireless signal between themselves and the apparatus. This ensures a more stable and reliable connection.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the circuitry includes a processor or controller that executes stored instructions.
The image forming apparatus described in the first claim uses a processor or controller running software instructions to perform its functions. This highlights the core computing component of the image forming apparatus.
10. A method of controlling connection, performed by an image forming apparatus, comprising: connecting to one or more first information processing apparatuses via a virtual private network in response to a request to connect from at least one of the one or more first information processing apparatuses; sending data corresponding to the connected one or more first information processing apparatuses to a main first information processing apparatus; receiving a set of selected first information processing apparatuses from the main first information processing apparatus including one or more first information processing apparatuses selected to be included in a first wireless communication network; establishing the first wireless communication network among the image forming apparatus and the set of selected first information processing apparatuses; and enabling wireless communication among the image forming apparatus and the set of selected first information processing apparatuses via the first wireless communication network.
A method for controlling connections within an image forming apparatus involves connecting to devices over a VPN in response to connection requests. Data about the connected devices is sent to a "main" device for selection. A wireless network is established only with the devices selected by the "main" device, and this network is used to enable wireless communication between those devices and the image forming apparatus.
11. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus configured to communicate with another apparatus in a virtual private network; and an operation terminal that accepts user operation to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including circuitry to: connect to one or more first information processing apparatuses via a virtual private network in response to a request to connect from at least one of the one or more first information processing apparatuses; send data corresponding to the connected one or more first information processing apparatuses to a main first information processing apparatus; receive a set of selected first information processing apparatuses from the main first information processing apparatus including one or more first information processing apparatuses selected to be included in a first wireless communication network; establish the first wireless communication network among the image forming apparatus and the set of selected first information processing apparatuses; and enable wireless communication among the image forming apparatus and the set of selected first information processing apparatuses via the first wireless communication network.
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus (like a printer) communicating within a VPN and a terminal for user interaction. The printer connects to devices via VPN, sends device info to a "main" device, receives a selected set of devices from the "main" device, and establishes a wireless network with that set, enabling wireless communication for image forming tasks.
12. The image forming system according to claim 11 , wherein, when the circuitry further establishes a second wireless communication network among one or more second information processing apparatuses, the circuitry integrates the first wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network into an integrated wireless communication network to enable wireless communication among the first information processing apparatuses and the second information processing apparatuses.
The image forming system described previously can create a second wireless network involving another set of devices. It merges this second wireless network with the first wireless network (the one with the devices selected from the VPN), forming a single, integrated wireless network. This allows all devices in both wireless networks to communicate, enabling collaboration.
13. The image forming system according to claim 11 , wherein a second wireless communication network among one or more second information processing apparatuses is established by a second image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus, and the circuitry integrates the first wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network into an integrated wireless communication network to enable wireless communication among the set of selected first information processing apparatuses and a second information processing apparatuses.
This is similar to the previous image forming system, but instead of the primary image forming apparatus creating the second wireless network, a different image forming apparatus creates it. The primary image forming apparatus integrates its wireless network with the second apparatus's wireless network to enable communication between all devices connected to either printer.
14. The image forming system according to claim 11 , wherein the circuitry processes shared data to be shared by the set of selected first information processing apparatuses connected with each other in the first wireless communication network.
The image forming system described earlier also processes shared data to be used by all devices connected to the wireless network it created. This enables collaborative image forming tasks among the connected devices.
15. The image forming system according to claim 14 , wherein the circuitry generates image data from the shared data, and transfers the generated image data to each one of the set of selected first information processing apparatuses in the first wireless communication network for display at each one of the set of selected first information processing apparatuses.
Building on the prior description, the image forming system takes the shared data and generates image data. It then sends this generated image data to each device on the wireless network for display, allowing real-time viewing and feedback from multiple users.
16. The image forming system according to claim 14 , wherein the circuitry further obtains, from at least one of the set of selected first information processing apparatuses, drawing information that reflects a user operation of adding or deleting information on an image displayed on a display of the at least one of the set of selected first information processing apparatus, and transfers the obtained drawing information to the set of selected first information processing apparatuses in the first wireless communication network.
Expanding on the image forming system, it captures drawing information (annotations, additions, deletions) that a user makes on an image displayed on one of the connected devices. It then shares this drawing information with all other devices on the wireless network, allowing everyone to see the modifications in real-time and collaborate on the image.
17. The image forming system according to claim 11 , further comprising: an image forming device to form an image in response to a request for forming the image from at least one of the first information processing apparatuses, wherein the circuitry charges a fee for forming the image to the at least one of the first information processing apparatuses that requests to form the image.
The image forming system includes an image forming device and charges a fee to the device that requests the image to be formed (printed). This provides a monetization strategy.
18. The image forming system according to claim 11 , wherein the circuitry connects to each of the one or more first information processing apparatuses to establish the first wireless communication network, when the one or more first information processing apparatuses have a strongest radio field intensity between the image forming apparatus and the one or more first information processing apparatuses.
The image forming system prioritizes wireless connections based on signal strength. When establishing the wireless network, it connects to the devices with the strongest signal to the apparatus, ensuring stable connections.
19. The image forming system according to claim 11 , wherein the circuitry includes a processor or controller that executes stored instructions.
The image forming system's core functions are executed by a processor or controller running software instructions, highlighting the system's underlying computing component.
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November 7, 2017
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